"I AM THAT
THAT I AM"
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'Intensives' were introduced, two full days of intensive chanting and meditation, talks with Baba, and the 'transmission of Shakti.'
Baba would give the 'touch', during meditation, walking between the rows of people swiping each individual with his peacock feathers or pressing firmly between the eyebrows with his thumb. I would hear the gentle rustling of Baba’s silk lungi (similar to a sarong) moving closer to me, then the swoosh of the peacock feather wand through the air and swat!
Or a warm thumb would be pressed between my eyebrows, feeling like it had gently pressed a starter button on my consciousness with a beautiful energy that spread through me.
The goal of all the different versions of yoga and, to me, nearly all modalities if you 'decode' the difference in language, visuals, and symbols, is to become immersed in 'That' awareness. Yoga means Union and is the union of body, mind, spirit, and the Divine in one.
There was another beautiful union in the Ashram; Kathy and I were to be 'married' by Baba.
We hadn't married in a conventional sense. We were told Baba was going to perform a marriage ceremony, and we were invited to be a part of the ceremony. Along with two other Melbourne couples, we were the first Indian/Western-style wedding to be reported on American television.
Beautiful floral decorations mixing their fragrance with the scent of incense filled the hall, it was intoxicating as hundreds of people gathered to witness the ceremony. In the pre-ceremony, our foreheads were coated with turmeric and red “Bindu” kumkum dots placed between our eyebrows on the 'third eye'. We were given beautiful flower garlands that joined us together. We walked together down the aisle to Baba. He embraced both of us and wished us that our union would last longer than the Himalayas and run as smoothly and as deeply as the Ganges.
A delicious feast ended a beautiful day, even Dee had been perfectly behaved- not like some other nights when Baba would come into the hall and have his slippers taken off by a ‘devotee’ only to have a flying "Dee missile" shoot across the room and over Baba’s feet...leaving half the room in shock.. .half in hysterics.
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Muktananda’s gifts didn’t end there.
Baba studied me intensely in the darshan line and then gave me the name Govinda, another name for Krishna, the "herder of the cows", representing the Gopis (women followers) and also meaning 'Master of Speech’, I was delighted.
Kathy was gifted the name 'Sunita' which meant honest and keeper of the home. Dee became Kumar, 'Little Prince,' which indeed he was.
There was also another big celebration ...Christmas.
Who better to share it with than a surprise visitor causing great merriment ...Father Blissmas, the ultimate gift giver!
Merry Blissful Christmas indeed.
Baba gave us a beautiful blue crystal as a gift
Sunita, Govinda and Kumar
Father Blissmas
Then came the moment we had undertaken this journey for, a group private meeting where we could explain to Baba the problems we were having.
We waited expectantly in front of Baba’s apartment. He appeared, which was always a cause of delight, gave me a few minutes of taking photos and then we all formed a group with him to have our group photo with him.
Spot the Govinda!
We soon got down to the problems; Not everyone sticking rigidly to Ashram rules, people arguing over building sites and other ‘stuff'.
I don't think Baba could believe what he was hearing! He offered some very simple and direct advice:
"Don’t worry about anyone else's ‘sadhana’ (spiritual path), just concentrate on your own."
With a radiant smile, he disappeared back into his room.
Back in Melbourne, there was much discussion about what “Baba really meant” until the most obvious decision was made.
SELL!!!
In the meantime, a beautiful old mansion in Melbourne was purchased to convert into an Ashram. It was in a suburb deemed to be ‘rough’ just starting its metamorphosis into an alternate creative area.
It also provided us with the best alternative decision...we could all choose to live in the same suburb near each other, the kids could still play with each other, we were within easy walking distance of each other, and could live by our own rules in our own houses.
And so it came to pass, Kathy and I bought our first house, a simple cottage just around the corner of the Ashram.